Most Rev. Tarcisious Ziyaye Archbishop of Lilongwe on August 1, 2015 laid a foundation stone for the construction of a multi-million Kwacha office complex at St Patricks’ Catholic Parish in Lilongwe’s Area 18.Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the project, which is expected to cost over K60 million, approximately USD 130,654 Ziyaye hailed Christians from St Patricks’ for demonstrating a spirit of ownership for the church.
“The church does not belong to priests, brothers or sisters. It is for us all and I thank the congregation of St Patricks’ for demonstrating a true spirit of ownership in coming up with this project, which will be financed by members of the church,” said Ziyaye.
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| Archbishop Ziyaye lays a brick on the foundation stone |
He also hailed St Patricks’ Parish priest Father Maxwell Kubalasa for maintaining the project, which was initiated by his predecessor Father Maxmian Khisi: “There is a tendency in our society, whereby new office bearers abandon projects or plans set by their predecessors and bring in their own ideas simply because it was not them who initiated the plan.
“I thank Father Kubalasa for continuing with the foundation that was laid down by his predecessor,” said Ziyaye.
The parish priest said construction of the new office complex would help ease the congestion in the parish hall, which carters for many things.
“We have a hall, which houses offices for the priest, catechist, youth representative, parish clerk, Radio Maria and a tuck shop. The space in the hall is not enough considering we also have three sisters, who have no office and two of us (priests) share one office. In addition catechumen classes as well as some parish meetings are also held under trees,” said Kubalasa.
The project is expected to last two years.
By Prince Henderson,ECM Communications Officer